C2E2 is Chicago's comic and entertainment convention, covering comics, cosplay, gaming, anime, television, film and books. This page tracks the practical information fans and creators need as the 2027 show develops.
C2E2 2027 is scheduled for April 30–May 2 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Checked September 12, 2026: tickets are on sale and Artist Alley applications are open, with a January 8, 2027, 5:00 p.m. Central Time deadline. Guest announcements remain pending.
01
Key takeaways
Use these decisions to guide the detailed checks below.
- Dates: April 30–May 2, 2027, Chicago.
- Tickets: on sale as checked September 12, 2026.
- Artist Alley: applications open; check the January 8 deadline and Central Time label.
- Guests: announcements remain pending; verify the appearance day before buying a specific experience.
| Item | Use this source | Do not assume |
|---|---|---|
| Dates and venue | Official event FAQ or homepage | Every program uses the same hours |
| Tickets | Current registration or ticket page | Every experience is included |
| Guests | Current-year guest announcement | A name means every-day attendance |
| Artist participation | The relevant application and communications | Submitting means acceptance |
02
C2E2 2027 dates and location
The show is scheduled for Friday, April 30 through Sunday, May 2, 2027 in the South Building at McCormick Place, 2301 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago.
General hours and program schedules should be rechecked closer to the event because individual features, photo ops and evening programming can use different times.
Use the show dates to anchor the trip, then check the separate schedule for the experiences you plan to attend. Keep local Chicago time on your itinerary rather than copying a deadline into another time zone without labeling it. A venue address identifies the destination, but the current organizer map should determine the entrance, registration location and route for the relevant day.
03
C2E2 2027 tickets are on sale
The current official ticket page says C2E2 2027 tickets are on sale. This replaces the earlier pre-sale schedule in this guide. Check the available ticket types and their current terms directly with the organizer before purchase.
Admission and a specific guest experience are separate decisions. Follow the organizer’s current purchase flow for any additional experience rather than assuming general admission includes it.
Before checkout, read the details of the exact ticket or experience you selected. Save the confirmation and any instructions that explain what to present on arrival. If two official pages describe different delivery or collection details, ask the organizer to clarify the current rule for your order rather than treating this guide as a substitute for their answer.
04
C2E2 2027 guest status
The organizer says 2027 guest announcements are coming soon. Guest cards from an earlier event should not be interpreted as a confirmed 2027 appearance without an explicit year label.
After a name is announced, confirm the appearance day and whether a photo op, autograph or special program requires an additional purchase.
05
Artist Alley and creator applications
The official Artist Alley application page now says applications are open. The listed deadline is January 8, 2027 at 5:00 p.m. Central Time. This replaces the earlier coming-soon status.
The organizer describes a curated selection process and says submitting early does not improve the chance of receiving a table. Use the official application for the current rules and requirements; a submitted application is not table acceptance.
06
Build a practical day plan
McCormick Place is large, so group activities by building area and protect time for queues. Choose one or two priority guests or panels rather than scheduling every hour.
Keep a second version of the plan that still works if a guest cancels or a room reaches capacity.
Choose a fallback activity near each priority stop. If a queue is longer than expected, you can make a deliberate tradeoff rather than losing the entire plan. Keep ticket confirmations and the current schedule accessible, and agree a meeting point if you are attending with others. These are planning suggestions, not guarantees about queue length or room access.
07
Keep the application decision separate from the stock order
Build two planning records. The application record contains the portfolio, requested information, submission confirmation and the organizer’s communications. The merchandise record contains possible products, artwork readiness, quantities and the date stock would need to arrive. Keeping them separate lets you prepare without mistaking an application for a confirmed selling opportunity.
When a table decision arrives, revisit the inventory plan against the actual accepted arrangement and current exhibitor instructions. Check what can be displayed, the receiving or travel plan and the work still needed on the artwork. Ask the supplier to review feasibility using the real quantities and destination. Do not make a production promise to yourself by subtracting a generic number of days from the show date.
If the application is unsuccessful or your circumstances change, the useful question is which parts of the plan still have value. A reusable original design may have another outlet, while event-specific packaging may not. Treat this as a planning choice before committing to stock. The official application governs participation; Glintmade can review a merchandise brief but cannot determine table acceptance.
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Update and affiliation note
This guide was checked on September 12, 2026. Glintmade is not affiliated with C2E2 or ReedPop.
Official C2E2 pages control dates, ticket sales, guests, applications and show policies.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Are the event dates the same as all program hours?
No. The show dates identify the event period. Check the current schedule for the particular activity and leave time for movement and entry.
Does a general ticket guarantee a guest meeting?
Check the organizer’s current information for that appearance. Guest attendance, appearance day, access and any separate purchase are different facts.
Does an Artist Alley application reserve a table?
Do not treat submission as acceptance. Follow the organizer’s decision and current participation instructions before planning around a confirmed space.
Which time zone should I use for an application deadline?
Keep the time zone shown by the organizer and convert it carefully for your own calendar. The official deadline controls, not a locally saved reminder.
Can Glintmade confirm my event registration or table?
No. Contact the organizer for participation and access. Glintmade can review a merchandise brief with products, artwork, quantities, destination and a required arrival date.
SOURCES
Official sources and further reading
Event details can change. Use these organizer-controlled pages before purchasing tickets, booking travel or acting on an application deadline.
